x-no-archive:yes


"Paul L" wrote:

What does it cost a family of four Bahamians to get visas to enter the US?
Looks like $100 for each application, non-refundable if denied:
http://travel.state.gov/vofees.html Then there's the time involved:
How long does it take to get a visa?

Yes that was part of the problem with the Bahamas. We aren't very
welcoming of them.

They still - even with paying for the visa application, and their fare
over and back, a rental car, hotel and customs fees, taxes, and
shipping, find it cheaper to go to the US to shop for big ticket
items, which tells you how expensive things like furniture are in the
Bahamas.


a.. Processing times are difficult to predict for an individual applicant.
For many applicants, a personal appearance interview is required as a
standard part of visa processing. For travelers, the need for an interview
will mean additional coordination with the embassy or consulate, is required
to schedule an interview appointment. If additional processing is needed,
visa applicants are informed at the time they submit their applications.
While most additional processing takes 30 days or less, a small percentage
may take considerably longer.
b.. Advance planning is a key ingredient for successfully having your visa
when you want it. If you wish to visit the U.S., plan to submit your visa
application well in advance of your departure date.
So it makes sense to not go somewhere where the fees or hassles are more
than its worth, I think it helps to keep it in perspective by looking at
what the good old USA does to potential visitors.

Paul
"Steve" wrote in message
...
I haven't been following this since I'm on the left coast. Just what do
you
get for $300?? Is that an entry fee only.??

Yah know! I don't think I would visit any country (or port) in the world
that charged a fee that high.

Even while sailing in and out of 3rd world ports, even the most corrupt
port
offical has never demanded that kinda money..

The reason the Bahamas gets away with it is because the 'well heeled'
boater
pay it.. Same reason the the cost of cruising has sky rocketed. Major
stop
over ports in Baja and Mexico a similar problem. Not because you get your
moneys worth, but because of the fools who continue to go to these traps
and
pay the price, no matter what it is.

This rant is brought to you by a 67 yo retiree who is only now able to
cruise to these places, only to find he his retirement income budget
couldn't possibly cover a $300 fee.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions




grandma Rosalie

x-no-archive:yes


"Paul L" wrote:

What does it cost a family of four Bahamians to get visas to enter the US?
Looks like $100 for each application, non-refundable if denied:
http://travel.state.gov/vofees.html Then there's the time involved:
How long does it take to get a visa?

Yes that was part of the problem with the Bahamas. We aren't very
welcoming of them.

They still - even with paying for the visa application, and their fare
over and back, a rental car, hotel and customs fees, taxes, and
shipping, find it cheaper to go to the US to shop for big ticket
items, which tells you how expensive things like furniture are in the
Bahamas.


a.. Processing times are difficult to predict for an individual applicant.
For many applicants, a personal appearance interview is required as a
standard part of visa processing. For travelers, the need for an interview
will mean additional coordination with the embassy or consulate, is required
to schedule an interview appointment. If additional processing is needed,
visa applicants are informed at the time they submit their applications.
While most additional processing takes 30 days or less, a small percentage
may take considerably longer.
b.. Advance planning is a key ingredient for successfully having your visa
when you want it. If you wish to visit the U.S., plan to submit your visa
application well in advance of your departure date.
So it makes sense to not go somewhere where the fees or hassles are more
than its worth, I think it helps to keep it in perspective by looking at
what the good old USA does to potential visitors.

Paul
"Steve" wrote in message
...
I haven't been following this since I'm on the left coast. Just what do
you
get for $300?? Is that an entry fee only.??

Yah know! I don't think I would visit any country (or port) in the world
that charged a fee that high.

Even while sailing in and out of 3rd world ports, even the most corrupt
port
offical has never demanded that kinda money..

The reason the Bahamas gets away with it is because the 'well heeled'
boater
pay it.. Same reason the the cost of cruising has sky rocketed. Major
stop
over ports in Baja and Mexico a similar problem. Not because you get your
moneys worth, but because of the fools who continue to go to these traps
and
pay the price, no matter what it is.

This rant is brought to you by a 67 yo retiree who is only now able to
cruise to these places, only to find he his retirement income budget
couldn't possibly cover a $300 fee.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions




grandma Rosalie

What does it cost a family of four Bahamians to get visas to enter the US?
Looks like $100 for each application, non-refundable if denied:
http://travel.state.gov/vofees.html Then there's the time involved:
How long does it take to get a visa?

a.. Processing times are difficult to predict for an individual applicant.
For many applicants, a personal appearance interview is required as a
standard part of visa processing. For travelers, the need for an interview
will mean additional coordination with the embassy or consulate, is required
to schedule an interview appointment. If additional processing is needed,
visa applicants are informed at the time they submit their applications.
While most additional processing takes 30 days or less, a small percentage
may take considerably longer.
b.. Advance planning is a key ingredient for successfully having your visa
when you want it. If you wish to visit the U.S., plan to submit your visa
application well in advance of your departure date.
So it makes sense to not go somewhere where the fees or hassles are more
than its worth, I think it helps to keep it in perspective by looking at
what the good old USA does to potential visitors.

Paul
"Steve" wrote in message
...
I haven't been following this since I'm on the left coast. Just what do
you
get for $300?? Is that an entry fee only.??

Yah know! I don't think I would visit any country (or port) in the world
that charged a fee that high.

Even while sailing in and out of 3rd world ports, even the most corrupt
port
offical has never demanded that kinda money..

The reason the Bahamas gets away with it is because the 'well heeled'
boater
pay it.. Same reason the the cost of cruising has sky rocketed. Major
stop
over ports in Baja and Mexico a similar problem. Not because you get your
moneys worth, but because of the fools who continue to go to these traps
and
pay the price, no matter what it is.

This rant is brought to you by a 67 yo retiree who is only now able to
cruise to these places, only to find he his retirement income budget
couldn't possibly cover a $300 fee.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

I haven't been following this since I'm on the left coast. Just what do you
get for $300?? Is that an entry fee only.??

Yah know! I don't think I would visit any country (or port) in the world
that charged a fee that high.

Even while sailing in and out of 3rd world ports, even the most corrupt port
offical has never demanded that kinda money..

The reason the Bahamas gets away with it is because the 'well heeled' boater
pay it.. Same reason the the cost of cruising has sky rocketed. Major stop
over ports in Baja and Mexico a similar problem. Not because you get your
moneys worth, but because of the fools who continue to go to these traps and
pay the price, no matter what it is.

This rant is brought to you by a 67 yo retiree who is only now able to
cruise to these places, only to find he his retirement income budget
couldn't possibly cover a $300 fee.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

x-no-archive:yes

(RWKxxx) wrote:

Anyone heard anything new on the Fee mess to enter the Bahamas?

I've heard they've settled on $300 for boats over 35 feet and $150 for
boats under 35 feet.

grandma Rosalie

x-no-archive:yes


(RWKxxx) wrote:

Anyone heard anything new on the Fee mess to enter the Bahamas?

This is from Skipper Bob's website
http://skipperbob.home.att.net/waterway.htm

Bahamas Cruising Permit.

The Bahamian government announced that effective July 1, 2003 the cruising permit for vessels over 35' will be $300 and for those under 35' the fee is $150. Dinghies over 18' are charged $150. This fee covers the captain and up to three additional crewmembers. Above that the fee is $15 per head.

A fishing license for 3 months is included in the fee specified above. From 3 months to one year the fishing license is an additional $150.

In addition to the increased fee, you will also be required to produce an original state registration or Coast Guard document when you clear customs. A copy of this document must be left with the Bahamas Customs officials. Since they may not all have copy machines, it would be wise to bring a copy of your state registration or USCG document so you can leave it with Bahamas customs.

Always ask for a receipt for fees paid. If you have to leave the country via air in an emergency, you won’t have to pay the $15 exit fee at the airport if you have a receipt for entering the country by boat. This $150 or $300 includes the $15 exit fee. (Nov 03)

The Bahamas Cruising Fee is a hotly contested subject and has resulted in a lot of angry comments on both sides. For the present it is still in effect. One concession recently won, is that the fee paid will be considered valid for any two entries into the Bahamas in any 90-day period. So keep your receipt in case you go back for some reason and fall in that 90-day period. In the meantime, the Bahamas Government is looking at someway to revise the current Cruising Fee in 2004 to make if more palatable for all concerned. If and when anything changes, it will be posted here. (Nov 03)

He also says that the Jordan Bridge in Norfolk has been hit by a barge
and is currently closed to both boat and vehicle traffic as it is in
the partly open position. As of Jan 5, 2004

There is currently no place to buy fuel in Elizabeth City and there is
serious shoaling (down to 3.5 feet at MLW at Lockwood's Folly


grandma Rosalie

x-no-archive:yes


(RWKxxx) wrote:

Anyone heard anything new on the Fee mess to enter the Bahamas?

This is from Skipper Bob's website
http://skipperbob.home.att.net/waterway.htm

Bahamas Cruising Permit.

The Bahamian government announced that effective July 1, 2003 the cruising permit for vessels over 35' will be $300 and for those under 35' the fee is $150. Dinghies over 18' are charged $150. This fee covers the captain and up to three additional crewmembers. Above that the fee is $15 per head.

A fishing license for 3 months is included in the fee specified above. From 3 months to one year the fishing license is an additional $150.

In addition to the increased fee, you will also be required to produce an original state registration or Coast Guard document when you clear customs. A copy of this document must be left with the Bahamas Customs officials. Since they may not all have copy machines, it would be wise to bring a copy of your state registration or USCG document so you can leave it with Bahamas customs.

Always ask for a receipt for fees paid. If you have to leave the country via air in an emergency, you won’t have to pay the $15 exit fee at the airport if you have a receipt for entering the country by boat. This $150 or $300 includes the $15 exit fee. (Nov 03)

The Bahamas Cruising Fee is a hotly contested subject and has resulted in a lot of angry comments on both sides. For the present it is still in effect. One concession recently won, is that the fee paid will be considered valid for any two entries into the Bahamas in any 90-day period. So keep your receipt in case you go back for some reason and fall in that 90-day period. In the meantime, the Bahamas Government is looking at someway to revise the current Cruising Fee in 2004 to make if more palatable for all concerned. If and when anything changes, it will be posted here. (Nov 03)

He also says that the Jordan Bridge in Norfolk has been hit by a barge
and is currently closed to both boat and vehicle traffic as it is in
the partly open position. As of Jan 5, 2004

There is currently no place to buy fuel in Elizabeth City and there is
serious shoaling (down to 3.5 feet at MLW at Lockwood's Folly


grandma Rosalie